Congratulations! You're on the way to being a licensed driver in the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Before completing a behind-the-wheel course, you are required (in most cases) to apply for your Virginia learner's permit. To complete this process, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age and, if under 18 years old, have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. If you meet this criteria, visit the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles branch nearest you to complete the driver's license application and the Virginia learner's permit exam. You do not need to complete a behind-the-wheel course to apply for a Virginia learner's permit. More details on this process can be found at www.dmv.virginia.gov.

After holding your learner's permit for nine months, the next objective is your Virginia driver's license. 

To receive your driver's license, you must complete a driver education program, such as the behind-the-wheel program offered by the Bluefield Area Driving School. The program includes classroom periods, discussions about drug and alcohol abuse, aggressive and distracting driving, parking scenarios, and other road awareness issues.  You will also experience in-car instruction periods, including periods of driving and periods of observation.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles includes additional information on this process here.